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CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Out of control fire still burning near Churchill Falls
An out of control wildfire east of Churchill Falls continues to burn. As of Friday morning, the Newfoundland and Labrador active wildfire dashboard shows the fire located near Churchill Falls is estimated to be roughly 170 hectares — the same size recorded on Thursday. The provincial fire rating hazard map ranks many parts of the province as at high, very high and extreme risk for wildfires. Environment Canada forecasts rain over the course of Friday and the following several days. In a statement on Thursday afternoon, Forestry Minister Lisa Dempster said two fires near Churchill Fires merged into one, which is actively burning one kilometre east of Churchill Falls on the north side of the Trans-Labrador Highway. Forestry officials say winds are blowing the fire away from the community, leaving a smouldering ground fire which allows crews to get water on hot spots further into the woods. Second fire burning A second fire also ignited in western Labrador on Thursday in the area of Faden Siding by the Menihek Lakes. As of Friday morning, the provincial wildfire map calculates its area at an estimated 1,875 hectares. Craig Coady, the forestry department's wildfire program director, said they are currently monitoring the fire. "The good thing about the location of that fire, at the moment right now, is that there aren't any values at risk," Coady told CBC News on Thursday evening. "So there isn't any significant infrastructure — homes, cabins, you know, those types of things — in that area. So right now we're not too concerned with that fire." There is a fire burning on Newfoundland's west coast but it is under control. Need resources Wabush Mayor Ron Barron said he's worried about a lack of fire fighting resources in the region, something he's seen dwindle over the years. "I have to stress as a community leader, in the past we've had resources here on the ground. You know, just the local forestry department had, I think, five full-time people," he told CBC Radio's Labrador Morning on Thursday. He said it's now down to two people in the area. Barron said a water bomber was stationed at the Wabush airport for 30 years, which is no longer the case. Last year Wabush was on stand-by when Labrador City was evacuated due to wildfires. "Fires are unpredictable. We've seen that here in 2013. We've seen it again here in 2024," said Barron. "The only thing that puts fires out is boots on the ground and resources in the air to help combat those fires. You can have all the signs you want but Mother Nature don't comply with that, sometimes, and she does her own thing." Since Thursday the town has been under a boil water advisory.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- New Straits Times
Massive timber raid nets RM97mil in seizures, dozens arrested
KUANTAN: A series of crackdowns on unlicensed timber factories by the General Operations Force (GOF) on the east coast has led to the arrest of 98 individuals and the seizure of various items worth RM97 million this year. The integrated operation, codenamed 'Op Bersatu Khazanah (Op Sawmill)', was carried out by the GOF Tenggara Brigade in collaboration with the Forestry Department, involving inspections of 32 premises across Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan. The first and second phases of the operation were conducted between February 11 and May 19, followed by a third phase on May 20. The raids targeted illegal sawmills engaged in unlicensed timber processing. Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) Director, Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim, said the individuals arrested — mostly sawmill workers — were aged between 18 and 80, and included 10 women. He said items valued at RM66.5 million were confiscated during the first two phases of the operation, which took place in Kelantan and Terengganu. "Various wood-processing and cutting equipment, including chainsaws, heavy machinery, and logs, were seized. Some factory owners were fined for operating without a licence, using unauthorised machinery and equipment, and violating timber-related regulations. "A total of 18 raids were conducted during these phases, resulting in the arrest of 53 individuals. Thirteen were charged in court, while the remaining 40 were released on bail pending further instructions from the Deputy Public Prosecutor's office," he said during a press conference on 'Op Sawmill' at the Galing GOF Camp today. Also present was Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department Director (Enforcement), Abd Ramlizauyahhudin Mahli. Azmi said that the third phase of the operation on May 20 was a joint effort led by Bukit Aman GOF along with the Tenggara Brigade, the Forestry Department, the Labour Department, and local authorities, during which 14 timber factories across the east coast were inspected. "Some of the factory owners committed various offences, including operating without valid licences, employing foreign workers without permits, and being unable to provide export or import licences for forest timber products or logs. "Assets worth RM30.8 million were seized, including 47,709 pieces of forest timber valued at RM11 million, heavy machinery worth RM4.3 million, and wood-processing tools worth RM15 million. A total of 232 individuals were screened, and 45, including eight women, were arrested," he said. He said those detained during 'Op Sawmill' throughout this year included 58 locals, along with 17 Myanmar nationals, 14 Indonesians, seven Bangladeshis, one Nepalese, and one Indian national. Azmi said that illegal sawmills pose a threat to public safety and order, prompting the GOF to hold regular meetings with the Forestry Department to develop effective countermeasures. "All raids were preceded by extensive surveillance. We worked closely with the Forestry Department to conduct initial monitoring before planning and executing the raids," he said. 'Op Sawmill' involved 295 GOF officers and personnel, including officials from the Forestry Departments in Pahang, Kelantan, and Terengganu, as well as representatives from health and local authorities.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Upper Baram IITO project terminated due to non-compliance by foreign NGO, Sarawak assembly hears
State Deputy Natural Resources and Urban Development Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh addressing the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (May 20). KUCHING: An International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) project in the Upper Baram Forest Area (UBFA) has been terminated due to non-compliance by a foreign NGO, the Sarawak legislative assembly was told on Tuesday (May 20). State Deputy Natural Resources and Urban Development Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the terminated project was the "Management of Upper Baram for Conservation and Sustainable Development with Involvement of Local Communities", which involved the Swiss-based Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF). "The project was terminated because BMF did not comply with the conditions set by the Sarawak government. "They focused solely on the Penan, whereas other communities including the Kenyah, Kelabit and Saban also have common interests in the area. "This can disrupt the harmony among the communities," he told Datuk Dennis Ngau (GPS-Telang Usan) during question time on Tuesday (May 20). Len Talif said BMF also wanted to designate the project area as a "Purely Conservation Area" for the survival of the Penan, although there was already a totally protected area nearby. He said ITTO agreed to the termination during a steering committee meeting on Oct 10 last year. "The decision to terminate the project will not affect the livelihood of the communities in the area, including the Penan. "This is in view of the various projects to improve living standards which are being implemented by the Forestry Department and relevant department agencies," he said. Len Talif said this was the only ITTO project in Sarawak to be terminated to date. He said the state Forestry Department had worked with ITTO on 16 projects since 1992, including three in Ulu Baram and one in Sungai Menyang, Lubok Antu. "The Sarawak government, through the Forestry Department, has no problem working with any NGO, whether local or foreign, as long as their agenda does not go against the policies of the state or Federal governments," he added.
Daily Express
17-05-2025
- Daily Express
Illegal felling in Forest Reserve: Logging firm, boss fined
Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 17, 2025 By: Cynthia D Baga Text Size: They were convicted under Section 30(1)(g) of the Forest Enactment 1968 and punishable under Section 30(2)(b) of the same Enactment, which provides for a fine of up to RM500,000 or a jail term of up to five years, or both, on conviction. - pix for illustration purposes only Kota Kinabalu: A logging company owner and its manager were fined a total of RM100,000 for having 238 logs for which the royalty was not paid, Friday. Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus meted out the sentence to manager Tiong Chee Khong and owner Yun Ket Chun, both 49, after ruling that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt against them. Advertisement Each of them was fined RM50,000 or eight months' jail. They paid the fine. The duo were found guilty, without lawful authority or legal right, of having the logs measuring 630.17 cubic meters with unpaid royalty at 10.30am on Feb 7, 2020 in a log storage on the side of the logging road in Occupancy Permit No. JP (SOG) OP.132/2017 in Sipitang Forest Reserve, Sipitang. They were convicted under Section 30(1)(g) of the Forest Enactment 1968 and punishable under Section 30(2)(b) of the same Enactment, which provides for a fine of up to RM500,000 or a jail term of up to five years, or both, on conviction. The prosecution called 12 witnesses while three defence witnesses testified in the hearing. Advertisement On Dec 18, 2024, the duo were freed from three charges of felling 707 logs illegally in the Forest Reserve and State land in Sipitang without their defence being called. During mitigation, counsel Aaron Mark, who defended the duo, asked for a minimum fine only to be imposed on his clients, saying it was their first offence and level of harm is low as it involved monetary values to the State Government. Aaron further said the logs were rightfully cut and it was not related to damaging environment. However, Forestry Department Prosecuting Officer Peter Jack Empah urged the court to hand down an appropriate and deterrent sentence so as to send a clear message to the public that such offences will not be tolerated. Peter also submitted that the offence committed by the duo not only involves a violation of the law, but also impacts the State Government's revenue in terms of tax collection. 'The unpaid taxes to the State Government amount to approximately RM60,000. Their action of failing to pay taxes to the State Government appears to challenge the authority of the Sabah Forestry Department as the statutory body responsible for forest resource management in Sabah. 'If such actions are not curbed, they will have long-term effects on society and may encourage more individuals to commit similar offences in the future. 'The Sabah Forestry Department regards the offence as extremely serious,' said Peter. The court ordered for the seized logs to be forfeited to the Government through the Forestry Department. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
14-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Three men, including Indonesian, detained for encroaching into forest reserve
RAUB: Three men, including an Indonesian national, have been detained for allegedly encroaching into the Rotan Tunggal Forest Reserve in Kampung Sang Lee near here on motorcycles, police said. District police chief Superintendent Mohd Shahril Abdul Rahman said the department was alerted to individuals spotted trespassing into the forest site at around 8am yesterday. "Police personnel from the Raub district headquarters and Tranum police station monitored the area for several hours before they spotted three men on separate motorcycles entering the forest reserve," he said in a statement. Shahril said the intruders, aged between 38 and 51, were detained in the forest reserve at approximately 12.30pm. The suspects were handed over to the Forestry Department for investigation under Section 88(1) of the National Forestry Act 1984, which carries a fine not exceeding RM20,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction. Shahril said police view the encroachment of forest reserves as a serious offence. He urged members of the public with information on such activities to contact the Raub police headquarters operations room at 09-3552222. On April 30, five men — including four Indonesian nationals — were detained for allegedly encroaching into the Batu Talam Forest Reserve in Raub.
